I need to change the rear indicator bulbs on the good lady's 57 plate Panda before the pending MOT. They have lost most of their orange paint so need to be replaced. On quick inspection i noticed there was no internal access from the boot so i take it the whole light assembly has to be taken off to fit the bulbs. Is it just the 3 bolts i can see when the tailgate is open?
General Rear indicator bulbs
- Thread starter drumdmc
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General Rear indicator bulbs
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Yup. Remove the 3 bolts then carefully pull out the whole light assembly. It will be attached to the wiring via a connector which you need to remove.
Then turn it over and you'll see a backing plate with, I think, another 4 small screws to undo before finally you can remove this piece - the bulbs are attached to the 'inside' of it.
I had a few rusted screws in mine so I coppa-slipped all the screws before replacing them.
When you put the main unit back onto the car, do the screws up lightly first so you can get it aligned properly before the final tightening down. Compare it to the other side to make sure all the gaps/trim etc is aligned correctly, though there's not much scope for getting it wrong.
Have fun!
Then turn it over and you'll see a backing plate with, I think, another 4 small screws to undo before finally you can remove this piece - the bulbs are attached to the 'inside' of it.
I had a few rusted screws in mine so I coppa-slipped all the screws before replacing them.
When you put the main unit back onto the car, do the screws up lightly first so you can get it aligned properly before the final tightening down. Compare it to the other side to make sure all the gaps/trim etc is aligned correctly, though there's not much scope for getting it wrong.
Have fun!
Thanks for your help, seems a complicated process just to change a bulb but it seems the way with cars these days. My 2001 Brava hasn't needed any bulbs changed in the 4 years that i have had it and it is a simple plastic flap in the boot to get access for the bulbs.
Got myself a job for the weekend now
Got myself a job for the weekend now
How is removing some bolts and screws complicated
How is removing some bolts and screws complicated
I think the general suggestion there was that in older cars you could just reach in and pull off the multiplug or similar and get at the bulb. None of this faffing about unscrewing, unbolting and generally fiddle arsing about which you seem to need to do on modern cars.
And also, if you are not used to doing this on a relatively expensive and precious (compared to an old banger) modern car, it probably does seem complicated and probably a bit unnerving.
Some cars have had flaps, but a lot have always had screws etc, Classic mk1 & mk2 Panda's from 1980-2003 had screws to remove the rear lights. No-one moaned back then. I just find it amazing that people are trusted to control 1+ tonn of metal on wheels, but don't have the ability to use a screwdriver or mini socket set
........... just find it amazing that people are trusted to control 1+ tonn of metal on wheels said:
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How is removing some bolts and screws complicated
Yes, at least the rear lights are easy enough (though one fastener snapped on mine as it was rusted half through). The fronts however are a complete b-apostrophe-stard! At least it was 7 years before I needed to change a bulb (had car from new).
Cheers,
After 10 years of replacing the front headlight bulbs on a Mk1 Ka, I'll never complain about the difficulty of fitment on any other car again !
I gave up on the skinned knuckles with my mums and the bloody cover clip falling off i resorted to wheel off and rip out arch liner ...
worked out just as quick as trying to do key hole surgery with my finger tips
worked out just as quick as trying to do key hole surgery with my finger tips
